Timby Ch. 44 Introduction to GI System &
Accessory Structures. Exam Questions And
Answers (Guaranteed A+)
Upper GI tract - Answer✔Begins at the mouth and ends at the jejunum
lower GI tract - Answer✔Begins at the ileum and ends at the anus
Accessory structures of the GI tract - Answer✔Peritoneum, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas
Mouth - Answer✔Where digestion begins
Masticated - Answer✔Chewing
Peristalsis - Answer✔Wavelike contractions that propels food into the stomach
upper esophageal sphincter (UES) or hypopharyngeal sphincter - Answer✔Prevents food or
fluids from reentering the pharynx
lower esophageal sphincter (LES) or cardiac sphincter - Answer✔Opening between the
esophagus and stomach
pyloric sphincter - Answer✔Opening between the stomach and duodenum
Gastric secretions - Answer✔Acidic because they contain hydrochloric acid (HCl). They're
released continuously but increase when food is eaten.
Chyme - Answer✔Mixture of semiliquid food that moves from the stomach to the small intestine
by peristalsis.
Primary function of the small intestine - Answer✔To absorb nutrients from the chyme
ileocecal valve - Answer✔Lies at the distal end of the small intestine and regulates the flow of
intestinal contents, which are liquid at this point, into the large intestine.
Fecal formation - Answer✔Function of the large intestine
large intestine - Answer✔Receives waste from the small intestine and propels waste toward the
anus. Absorbs some electrolytes, vitamin K, and bile acids.
Structures of the large intestine - Answer✔Cecum, colon, rectum, and anal canal
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Cecum - Answer✔Pouchlike structure at the beginning of the large intestine.
Appendix - Answer✔A narrow blind tube at the tip of the cecum, has no function in humans.
Fecal matter - Answer✔Unabsorbed material in the colon
Rectum - Answer✔Holds and retains fecal matter through the contraction of the internal and
external anal sphincters
Peritoneum - Answer✔Lines the inner abdomen; enclosed the viscera and the serous fluid that it
secretes.
Liver - Answer✔Forms and releases bile; processes vitamins, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates;
stores glycogen; contributes to blood coagulation; metabolizes and biotransforms many
chemicals, bacteria, and foreign matter; and forms antibodies and immunizing substances
(gamma globulin)
Gallbladder - Answer✔Attached to the midportion of the undersurface of the liver
Gallbladder contraction - Answer✔Triggered by ingested food (especially fats), causes bile to be
released first through the cystic duct and then the common bike duct into the duodenum, where it
aids in the absorption of fats, fat soluble vitamins, iron, and calcium
Pancreas - Answer✔Both an exocrine gland and endocrine gland. It produces various protein,
fat, and carbohydrate digesting enzymes.
exocrine glands - Answer✔Releases secretions into a duct or channel
Endocrine gland - Answer✔Releases substances directly into the bloodstream
Order in which you do an assessment on a patient - Answer✔Inspection, auscultation,
percussion, and palpation
How should the client lay for an abdominal examination - Answer✔Supine, with the knees
flexed slightly. It assists in relaxing the abdominal muscles.
What do you observe the abdomen for? - Answer✔Contour, noting whether it's flat, round,
concave, or distended as well as the effort associated with breathing.
Why is Abdominal auscultation done before palpation? - Answer✔It disrupts normal bowel
sounds
Foods & Medications that alter stool color - Answer✔Meat protein; spinach; carrots & beets;
cocoa; senna; bismuth, iron, licorice, and charcoal; barium
Dullness - Answer✔Sound heard when the nurse percusses over an area of the abdomen with a
solid mass
Resonance - Answer✔Sounds heard when percussing the abdomen over less dense structures or
those filled with air
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